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Stockholm, Helsinki beckon Wings, Blues, Blackhawks, Panthers

by
Dan Rosen
/ NHL.com

Niklas Kronwall knew the 2008 NHL Premiere Stockholm would be a huge deal in his home city, which is why the Detroit defenseman was kind of bummed to learn the Red Wings weren't one of the teams participating.

"I wish we were one of those teams going to Stockholm," Kronwall told NHL.com last spring. "That would have been awesome to be playing in Globe Arena."

Kronwall's wish was granted this morning when the NHL and its Players' Association announced the teams and cities for the 2009 NHL Premiere.

The Wings, who currently sport a 26-man roster that includes eight Swedes, are going to Stockholm and, yes, they're going to play in Globe Arena.

Detroit will open the 2009-10 regular season with a pair of games in Stockholm against the St. Louis Blues on Oct. 2 and 3.

This is the third-straight season the NHL has played regular-season games in Europe. It's the first time the League has played regular-season games in Finland, though the Pittsburgh Penguins played an exhibition game in Helsinki this past September before opening this season against the Ottawa Senators at Globe Arena.

"The NHL Premiere games are a signature event for the League, our players and our fans," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Playing regular-season games overseas is an excellent way to further engage the passionate NHL fan base in Europe and encourage the growth of the game of hockey."

"The 2009 Premiere games continue an important tradition of showcasing NHL players to an international audience," added NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly. "Our members look forward to displaying their skills in front of the knowledgeable and enthusiastic hockey fans in Finland and Sweden."

"For the Swedish people, Detroit for sure is one of the teams they keep track of," Samuelsson told NHL.com. "There haven't been any more Swedes on a team than this team has."

The lone Swede on the Blues roster is Patrik Berglund, who is from Lidstrom's hometown of Vasteras.

"I think it’s a great thing for hockey in general, especially for the NHL to kind of spread its wings and go to other countries to market the game," Kronwall said. "NHL hockey is so different from the hockey that is being played at home. I don't think people realize that. It doesn't matter how much you watch on TV, you need to see it live to be able to experience that big difference."

The Hawks and Panthers are currently represented by only one Finn each. Florida forward Ville Peltonen and Hawks' backup goalie Antti Niemi, who is with the team now due to Nikolai Khabibulin's lower body injury, are from Vantaa, which borders Helsinki.

That won't limit the excitement, though.

"I think it's pretty cool to go over there," Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith told NHL.com. "I've never been to Finland so that's neat in itself to visit that part of Europe and see what it's like over there. I think it's good the NHL does that to showcase our game over there to Finland and all the different countries that love hockey."